Hi Everone,

Let me say THANK YOU to everyone on this site! I have learned more about the Mini Cooper S over the past week than I could have ever imagined!

So here goes....we are going tomorrow first thing in the morning to look at the cars and hopefully (if they allow it) test drive a MCS with the automatic transmission and the standard transmission. I would hope they would allow this...don't see why not right?

Anyhow, what are some DOs and DONTs when at the dealership? I have not purchased a new car from a dealer in a long time. Every time before we have done that, we have dealt through the internet. When purchasing my VW Jetta TDI, I emailed about 20 dealers across the nation to see the best price they could offer me. The one that gave me the best deal, was the one that got our business. Turns out our local dealership did the best! I had everything arranged through the internet sales person and bypassed the "vultures" on the lot. The local dealership does not have an internet sales dept.

ANY help would be appreciated...negotiating tips...questions to ask....etc.....should we register on their website for a test drive or just show up?

Take care and hopefully sooner rather than later there will be another Mini Cooper S on the roadways!!!!

Regards,

Mike

 

Oh, Mike, don't go!

And if you do go, do NOT drive one.
You will love it.
You will want it.
You will need it.
Avoid all such temptation.

I have no other advice. It wouldn't make a bit of difference.

 

The only suggestion I would have is definitely call the dealer beforehand and schedule an appointment since you want to test drive both standard and auto.

Oh, and if you get as far as actually ordering one , triple and quadruple check your build sheet, because once your MA enters in into the system it'll be difficult, if not impossible to change your build.

One more thing...if you do get one get the rear fogs. Good luck Mike

 

Also, take you time and don't let the dealer pressure you into doing anything before you're ready. They need your business as badly as you want the car, so don't let them make you think otherwise.

Do as much research as possible and know exactly what you want and how much it costs. If you show them you know what you're talking about, that takes away a lot of their dog-and-pony show. Also, be realistic about the price, too. Everyone wants a bargain, but the dealer isn't going to let you walk away with a car for free. Again, the more knowledge you have before talking to the dealer, the better the process will go.

Here in CA, the dealer is required to show you the dealer invoice, if you ask for it. I don't know if that's the case in NM, but asking for the dealer invoice is a great way to send the MA off for a few minutes while you think about the deal he/she has just offered. It also shows the MA that you know where the dealer is coming from, which cuts down on the game playing.

 

Thanks folks!

Any suggestions on where to find the dealer invoice options on the web?

I signed up for a test drive via the website but we will be heading there either way in the early AM to look at the options on the vehicles first hand. Our only experience before was with the 2008 MCS on the CARMAX floor.

Although it would be nice to walk out of there with one tomorrow, we want to be SURE we have our ducks in a row when taking a peek. And we WILL be ordering the rear fog lamps.

 

Mike,

A lot of these are really duh-obvious, but still worth a read http://editorial.autos.msn.com/lista...umentid=765384

Good luck!
PS I got a brand new '08 in late January and save quite a bit. If there's a new '08 still on the lot, they're really eager to sell that puppy!

 

Check to see the dealer's inventory on their website, and using the options listed, you can back into the MSRP price using Edmunds. The great thing about Edmunds is they also list the invoice price not only for the car but for the different options. I would do your homework here first on a spreadsheet. Also, dealers are more willing to discount on cars they have on the lot vs. ordering (not willing to discount much if at all).

Good luck, be patient and take your time!

 

Thanks for the advice! Unfortunately the dealer does not have what my wife wants for options on the lot....perhaps she will change her mind tomorrow when we hit it!

The internet dept did email me back a few min ago and said that they look forward to working with us.

 

good luck and keep us posted....

dont let them know ur eager....play with them

 

Relax and have FUN!! Our SA was Great!! He took the time to answer all our questions when we went on our Test Drive and then again when we placed our order. Take a tour of the Dealership, also check out the Service Dept., if they are open on Saturdays you will be able observe how they deal with their customers...a big deal in MINIland, you will be seeing them often enough, you will want to make sure that this is the place you want to bring your MINI back to for Service.
Let us know how the Test Drive goes!!

 

I recommend test driving at the dealer and then walking away. No quick rash decisions! Go home, decide on the options, then work with the internet department.

Plus I don't know about mark-ups with the economy the way it is, but when I ordered my R56 last year some dealers were asking 3k+ over MSRP. I had to hit every dealer in SoCal until I found a decent dealer who would give me a good production slot.

The key is to take your time and stay level headed. If you tell them you must have the car, the ***** in their court.

Finally, order the options YOU want. I absolutely respect everyone's advice and opinions on NAM, but just because everyone says an option is a "must have" doesn't mean its whats right for your Mini. I didn't order rear fogs because I didn't like the look and I haven't regretted that decision once .

 

In the 3 cars that I have bought from a dealership here are some of the things that I have learned.

1 Set how much you are going to pay.
2 Stick with it.
3 Have a down payment.
4 Negotiate trade in and price of car desperately not at the same time
5 Go to a bank and get a loan sometimes you can get a better deal through them
6 When you are looking at a car do not let the sales person talk about financing not even a mention about it that is a different part of the sale.
7 Don't think that you are going to go into the dealership and get a steal of a deal. If you leave the dealership and save a little your good.

Good luck and hope you get a MINI

 

Thanks again everyone!

Well financing is right out. We will be purchasing whichever car we end up getting all at once. We are unsure on some of the options and really need to see the vehicles, take some pics, sit in them, test drive the auto vs manual....etc.

My wife is still very unsure on this vehicle. I, on the other hand, am smitten!

The allure of this car for me is the "FUN FACTOR"....in no way is this a utility vehicle by any stretch of the imagination.

My wife really likes the Sparkling Silver (more like a tan/stucco color in my eyes). I am partial to the blue and yellow ones but it is HER car.

If I had not discovered this site I would never have discovered some of the issues associated with the vehicle so we will keep them in mind...aka pano sunroof!

 

since yr dealing in an area of the US that has very few dealers (only 4 in the entire time zone), dont expect a big discount on an ordered car. If U can manage $250-500 off msrp then pat yrself on the back over a job well done. After all, since there is so much dealer stock right now, there's no reason for a dealer to exhibit goodwill by discounting an ordered car too deeply.

also I saw yr other thread about yr build: remember if U get any seat option besides leather or leather/cloth, there are no adjustable lumbar supports in the seats. And under heavy acceleration, you can feel the lack of support in the seats that dont have ALS.

 

Thanks Sequence makes sense to us....lumbar is not really used by either one of us. I have it in my Jetta but my wife's liberty does not. This will be her car and she really could care less about the lumbar stuff. Good points to be aware of....thanks!

 

Most likely with a Mini, you are stuck with paying close to sticker. My own experiences, do not let your guard down in the finance office. BMW dealers are the worst that I ever seen in trying to stick expensive add ons in the deal. The forever wax job, over priced extended warranties, etc. watch your a$$.

 

+1

When I bought my MINI, the shady finance manager was trying to tie in the finance rate he was going to give me with the extended warranty, even though my credit score was over 800. I stood my ground, and he finally gave in to my demands. Although I love the car, the experience still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

 

We are in no hurries for the car. My wife is still on the fence. We went back today (dealership closed) but we asked them last night if we could come back and snap some pictures in mid day light as the dusk shots showed different colors. Good to get an all around looksie at what the colors actually look like.

They have one on the lot that may fit our needs but it is missing the fog light. Something I would really like to have (dont want to get rear ended) is missing from it.

I will keep my head straight in the finance dept. We save up for vehicles and when it comes time to purchase we pay for the car straight up.

Extended warranty...hmmmm....I usually end up going with Warranty Direct and have had NO issues with them in the past. If they can beat them then we MIGHT get the Extended Warranty.

 

I am sure you will have no trouble test driving an automatic and a manual. Be polite, stick to your agenda, write down any questions you are especially interested in getting answered, and push the "sport" button.

My strong recommendation is a S with a 6 speed manual.

Good luck and have fun!!!!!!!!!

 

see faron at sandia mini===an all time good guy and knows everything there is to know about minis--in nm expect to pay msrp unless the one you like is on special. i bough there and there should be no problem with the test drives